Augmented Reality in Today’s Operating Rooms – Update

In June 2016, I wrote an article around the use of Augmented Reality in Today’s Operating Rooms and I used the example of Google Glass as a new technology that helps improve surgical efficiencies and aiding compliance and education. Another great example of Augmented Reality being used in surgery was announced last week when Novarad’s OpenSight Augmented Reality System received FDA clearance for pre-operative surgical planning using the tech company’s augmented reality headset and is the first solution for Microsoft HoloLens 510(k) cleared by the FDA for medical use.

Building upon decades of Novarad’s experience in image processing, OpenSight renders 2D, 3D and 4D images of patients interactively, while accurately overlaying them directly onto the patients’ body during surgery. The system lets clinicians see both the 3D patient image from previous scans, as well as the patient physically in front of them. OpenSight was designed to help surgeons plan for an operation and gives clinicians the tools to highlight specific body parts as well as structures that should be avoided during the procedure, according to the company. For more, see the press release.

Image Courtesy of Novarad

“This is transformative technology that will unite preoperative imaging with augmented reality to improve the precision, speed and safety of medical procedures,” Dr. Wendell Gibby, Novarad CEO and co-creator of OpenSight.

Unlike virtual reality (VR) used in previous preoperative planning systems, OpenSight utilizes the Microsoft HoloLens headset that not only allows one to see the 3D patient images in augmented reality (AR), but also to see the patient (reality) at the same time. Augmented reality also lets you see your complete real-world surroundings, avoiding the disorientation of virtual reality.

This is indeed another interesting example how new technology can help to improve efficiency and quality in surgery to improve patient outcomes.

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